Maude Saunders Elementary School

Summary:

Maude Saunders Elementary School is a public K-5 school in Defuniak Springs, Florida, serving a student population of 553. The school is part of the Walton School District, which is ranked 16th out of 68 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

While Maude Saunders has a higher percentage of White, Hispanic, and multiracial students compared to nearby schools, it faces significant challenges. The school has experienced a sharp increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 11.3% in 2019-2020 to 32.1% in 2022-2023, which is notably higher than the 17.6% to 31.5% range at nearby schools like West Defuniak Elementary School. Additionally, Maude Saunders' test scores in English Language Arts, Math, and Science consistently lag behind the Walton District and state averages, with its 5th-grade Science proficiency rate at 36% compared to the district's 62% and the state's 53%.

The school's statewide ranking has declined over the years, from 973 out of 2,247 Florida elementary schools in 2020-2021 to 1,356 out of 2,256 in 2023-2024. This trend is concerning and may be linked to the school's high percentage of students (87.34%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, which is significantly higher than the nearby schools' range of 54.67% to 85.65%. Despite increased spending per student, from $10,627 in 2019-2020 to $14,924 in 2022-2023, the school has yet to see improved academic outcomes, suggesting the need for targeted interventions and a closer examination of resource allocation.


Detail:

Public K-5

 416 John Baldwin Rd
       Defuniak Springs, FL  32433


(850) 892-1260

District: Walton

SchoolDigger Rank:
1356th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,924 Help


Students who attend Maude Saunders Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Emerald Coast Middle School
    Freeport Middle School
    Walton Middle School
High:    Freeport Senior High School
    South Walton High School
    Walton High School
    Walton Virtual Franchise

Student/teacher ratio:  13.4 Help
Number of students:  553

Racial breakdown:

White:
59.3%
Hispanic:
15.7%
African American:
12.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  87.3% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Maude Saunders Elementary School ranks worse than 60.1% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks last among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Walton School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 39.5. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Maude Saunders Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (59.3%), Hispanic (15.7%), African American (12.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 87.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Walton School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Maude Saunders Elementary School is 13.4, which is the lowest among 6 elementary schools in the Walton School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Maude Saunders Elementary School employs 41 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Maude Saunders Elementary School is $14,924, which is the highest among 6 elementary schools in the Walton School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Maude Saunders Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Walton:

SchoolDigger ranks Walton 16th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Maude Saunders Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 56.53 749th 1688 55.6%
2007 53.55 881st 1786 50.7%
2008 51.67 912th 1789 49.0%
2009 42.62 1139th 1847 38.3%
2010 50.38 1023rd 1919 46.7%
2011 47.50 1110th 1985 44.1%
2012 44.34 1126th 1984 43.2%
2013 37.50 1289th 2029 36.5%
2014 31.21 1487th 2064 28.0%
2016 32.26 1456th 2087 30.2%
2017 31.73 1448th 2112 31.4%
2018 29.27 1539th 2118 27.3%
2019 35.92 1430th 2182 34.5%
2021 55.51 973rd 2247 56.7%
2022 38.21 1368th 2219 38.4%
2023 51.68 1055th 2240 52.9%
2024 39.50 1356th 2256 39.9%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Maude Saunders Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Maude Saunders Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 534 179 6 2 0 n/a n/a 0 721
1989 506 184 7 0 1 n/a n/a 0 698
1990 523 162 7 1 1 n/a n/a 0 694
1991 516 170 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 689
1992 541 173 2 12 1 n/a n/a 0 729
1993 530 187 1 9 1 n/a n/a 0 728
1994 538 172 1 4 1 n/a n/a 0 716
1995 607 151 3 16 4 n/a n/a 0 781
1996 607 151 3 16 4 n/a n/a 0 781
1997 630 152 4 9 3 n/a n/a 0 798
1998 640 150 4 7 5 n/a n/a 0 806
1999 640 139 3 10 5 n/a n/a 0 797
2000 651 143 3 6 3 n/a n/a 0 806
2001 608 146 2 6 2 n/a n/a 0 764
2002 573 156 1 5 2 n/a n/a 0 737
2003 573 156 1 5 2 n/a n/a 0 737
2004 554 147 3 6 8 n/a n/a 0 718
2005 531 130 4 9 5 n/a n/a 0 679
2006 552 140 6 15 4 n/a n/a 0 717
2007 557 143 2 22 6 n/a n/a 18 748
2008 567 138 4 31 5 n/a n/a 19 764
2009 470 139 7 32 0 n/a n/a 24 672
2010 450 141 6 22 0 n/a n/a 33 652
2011 427 140 7 36 2 0 39 0 651
2012 377 127 6 43 2 0 39 0 594
2013 423 118 7 53 1 0 43 0 645
2014 418 111 5 66 2 1 45 0 648
2015 414 86 2 79 1 1 58 0 641
2016 440 81 2 87 3 1 60 0 674
2017 432 73 2 100 2 1 54 0 664
2018 377 69 2 73 2 1 56 0 580
2019 343 63 2 80 2 1 53 0 544
2020 333 64 3 83 1 0 59 0 543
2021 282 47 2 77 4 1 45 0 458
2022 305 51 2 80 4 1 60 0 503
2023 328 69 3 87 3 1 62 0 553

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Maude Saunders Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 721 37.0 19.4 58.1
1989 698 38.0 18.3 62.5
1990 694 39.0 17.7 55.2
1991 689 39.0 17.6 56.6
1992 729 40.0 18.2 54
1993 728 40.0 18.2 57.6
1994 716 39.0 18.4 60.9
1995 781 41.0 19.0 59.5
1996 781 41.0 19.0 59.5
1997 798 44.0 18.1 61.3
1998 806 45.0 17.9 60.8
1999 797 46.0 17.3 74.5
2000 806 47.0 17.1 75.4
2001 764 48.0 15.9 75.5
2002 737 45.0 16.4 77.1
2003 737 45.0 16.4 77.1
2004 718 46.0 15.6 78.7
2005 679 45.0 15.1 75.8
2006 717 46.0 15.6 73.4
2007 748 50.0 15.0 73.7
2008 764 55.0 13.9 70.7
2009 672 58.1 13.0 79.9
2010 652 50.0 13.0 85
2011 651 48.6 13.3 83.7
2012 594 47.0 12.6 83.2
2013 645 46.0 14.0 83.1
2014 648 47.0 13.7 85.2
2015 641 42.0 15.2 88
2016 674 44.0 15.3 87.8
2017 664 44.0 15.0 87.5
2018 580 42.0 13.8 89.3
2019 544 32.0 17.0 87.1
2020 543 35.0 15.5 86.2
2021 458 38.0 12.0 79.5
2022 503 40.0 12.5 79.9
2023 553 41.0 13.4 87.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Maude Saunders Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 721 37.0 19.4 58.1
1989 698 38.0 18.3 62.5
1990 694 39.0 17.7 55.2
1991 689 39.0 17.6 56.6
1992 729 40.0 18.2 54
1993 728 40.0 18.2 57.6
1994 716 39.0 18.4 60.9
1995 781 41.0 19.0 59.5
1996 781 41.0 19.0 59.5
1997 798 44.0 18.1 61.3
1998 806 45.0 17.9 60.8
1999 797 46.0 17.3 74.5
2000 806 47.0 17.1 75.4
2001 764 48.0 15.9 75.5
2002 737 45.0 16.4 77.1
2003 737 45.0 16.4 77.1
2004 718 46.0 15.6 78.7
2005 679 45.0 15.1 75.8
2006 717 46.0 15.6 73.4
2007 748 50.0 15.0 73.7
2008 764 55.0 13.9 70.7
2009 672 58.1 13.0 79.9
2010 652 50.0 13.0 85
2011 651 48.6 13.3 83.7
2012 594 47.0 12.6 83.2
2013 645 46.0 14.0 83.1
2014 648 47.0 13.7 85.2
2015 641 42.0 15.2 88
2016 674 44.0 15.3 87.8
2017 664 44.0 15.0 87.5
2018 580 42.0 13.8 89.3
2019 544 32.0 17.0 87.1
2020 543 35.0 15.5 86.2
2021 458 38.0 12.0 79.5
2022 503 40.0 12.5 79.9
2023 553 41.0 13.4 87.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Maude Saunders Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $1,722 (16.0%) $9,033 (84.0%) $10,755
2019 $1,504 (14.5%) $8,886 (85.5%) $10,389
2020 $1,500 (14.1%) $9,127 (85.9%) $10,627
2021 $1,826 (13.7%) $11,474 (86.3%) $13,298
2022 $2,068 (15.6%) $11,224 (84.5%) $13,290
2023 $2,626 (17.6%) $12,299 (82.4%) $14,924

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Maude Saunders Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1430th of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 1055th of 2240 Elementary schools
 18.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Maude Saunders Elementary School)5648
 8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Walton)6660
 6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Maude Saunders Elementary School)5558
 3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Walton)6568
 3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Maude Saunders Elementary School)3851
 13%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Walton)6466
 2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Maude Saunders Elementary School)3556
 21%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Walton)6572
 7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Maude Saunders Elementary School)6340
 23%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Walton)6465
 1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Maude Saunders Elementary School)3439
 5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Walton)5566
 11%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (Maude Saunders Elementary School)6051
 9%
   5th Grade Science (Walton)6167
 6%
   5th Grade Science (Florida)5351
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students544553
 1.7%
African American6369
 9.5%
American Indian23
 50%
Asian23
 50%
Hispanic8087
 8.8%
Pacific Islander11
White343328
 4.4%
Two or More Races5362
 17%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients87.1%87.3%
 0.2%


Schools Near Maude Saunders Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Maude Saunders Elementary School

Maude Saunders Elementary School ranks 1356th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 553 students attended Maude Saunders Elementary School.

Students at Maude Saunders Elementary School are 59% White, 16% Hispanic, 12% African American, 11% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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